In honour of the 103 reviews I now have …here is the next chapter! :D

Only because I LOVE Casey's interaction with Ted Griffin in the first season is where this came from. I'm a little worried it's out of left field but it has been playing in my head for a while. Let me know what you think

I also don't know how I feel about this chapter… especially the Gabby/Casey parts. Like I said before I want this to be natural and slow but I don't know if it feels too rushed… thoughts?

Chapter 11 - Stunning

Gabby wandered into the firehouse the next shift smiling happily to herself after her date with Matt, he was so amazing, they had so much fun and she couldn't have been happier with how it had gone, granted she had panicked a little when he talked about his ex fiancé and how he had seen her that morning but he had reassured her that he wanted nothing to do with her, and she took that, having seen no reason to think otherwise. Packing her things into her locker, Gabby felt almost giddy, waiting for the moment Matt would walk in, wanting to see what he would do, although they had spoke about keeping their relationship to themselves, just until they were sure and settled, however she didn't know how long that would actually last. Hearing footsteps coming towards the locker room, she waited, sighing inwardly when she noticed Shay coming towards her, a smile to match Gabby's, "Oh well hello there!" She bound up to Gabby, she hands coming to her shoulders.

"You owe me details about your date!" Just as Gabby was going to speak, Matt, Herman and Cruz walked in side by side, chatting about the Hawks game from the night before. "Hey Dawson, Shay" they each spoke, greeting each other, Matt's eyes flickering to Gabby's longingly. "Morning Dawson." He slipped past her, his hands brushing past her back innocently, however it sent shivers up Gabby's spine, yeah their secret wouldn't last long if he was going to do stuff like that. "Morning Casey" she replied, getting her voice back pausing when the alarms went off. "Ambulance 61, woman in distress. 58 Chandler Road" nodding to Matt and flashing him a knowing smile, Gabby and Shay headed off towards the ambo, a sense of understanding that this shift was going to be a long one.

"So...how was your date?" Shay turned down another street, really wanting to know about their date, really wanted to know what had happened. Gabby turned to Shay, a smile playing on her lips as she lifted her right foot to rest of the dashboard. "It was great, he took me to a really nice restaurant, it was small, quiet but really nice. We talked for hours about lots of different things. He told me about his family…about growing up, about his construction business. It was really nice…" Shay glanced over to Gabby, shocked that Matt had told her about his family already but she knew how he felt about her, Shay knew that Matt had fallen for Gabby and so he wanted to make sure she knew everything about him. "We had a great time…" She could tell there was more to the story than Gabby was giving, wanting to keep something to herself but Shay wouldn't let her.

"And the two of you…" She pushed, not being able to contain her desire to know all the details, Gabby just laughed. "Well we talk about it and we want to keep it quiet for as long as possible, just want to make sure that it was right for us both, especially with James but he is amazing…he even asked me to the Fire Fighter's Dinner…" Shay's smile grew at the thought of Gabby and Matt being together, she was happy for them, although now she didn't have to listen to Matt whine about wanting to be with Gabby. "I'm glad for you both, I really am!" As they pulled up the scene in front of them, Gabby and Shay slipped back into paramedic mode, assessing the scene and making their way to the victim.

Gabby rested her arms on the side of the gurney as she laughed at Shay, waiting for her to fill out the paper work she needed to after dropping thief patient off. "I'm serious, when I see Otis I'm going to kick his ass into next week!" Gabby only laughed harder, she loved watching Shay get riled up, it always made her laugh. Shay groaned as Gabby continued to laugh, kicking the side of the gurney gently so it moved under gabby, hitting her shin, "Ow! That hurt!" Gabby leaned down to rub her shin, Shay laughing deeply at her friend's pain. Although after moment the laughter stopped and as Gabby raised her head to see what Shay was staring at she found a tall dark haired woman coming their way, gabby didn't even have a chance to ask Shay who she was before the woman spoke.

"Hi Shay! How are you?" The woman hugged Shay, who looked a little lost although who hugged back. "Hallie, what are you doing here?" Gabby straightened her back at the name, yes she knew that Hallie was back but seeing her now, concerned her. Hallie was stunning, she was tall, with flowing dark hair, long legs and a flawless face. She was a bit taller than Gabby and her smile lit up the room. "Couldn't resist an offer to come home. I though Matt would have told you-" At the sound of Matt's name Shay's brain kicked into gear. "Hallie, this is our new PIC Gabby Dawson. Gabby this is Hallie Thomas..." Shay watched as Gabby swallowed, forcing a smile as she shook Hallie's hand. "It's nice to meet you Gabby…51 is a great place to work, everyone there is great. I should know…" She laughed, completely unaware that Gabby was battling down the desire to slap the woman, and she didn't even know why. Forcing another smile Gabby spoke, "Thanks, yea I'm really enjoying it. Everyone has been really great."

Just as Hallie was about to speak, her name was called out over the counter, a nurse needing her help. "Sorry I have to head off…Shay can you let Matt know I might come by the house to see him soon? Let him know I wanna see him again…" Hallie felt them then, not even bothering to look back at Gabby who was fuming, her jaw clenched but tears filling her eyes. She was furious, not at Hallie or Matt but at herself, how could she let herself fall for someone when he had an ex that looked like Hallie, and that wanted to see him again. A hand touched her shoulder, gaining Gabby's attention, "Hey lets get back to the house, I'm sure lunch will be ready soon and I for one do not want to have the left overs again…" She nodded towards the doors, watching as Gabby silently nodded, moving back towards the ambo, still not saying a word.

The ride back to the house was silent, you could have heard a pin drop if it weren't for the engine running. Shay tried to start a conversation with Gabby but every time she looked over to see Gabby, she was staring out the side window, her hands clenched on her lap, her jaw locked and even a small tear finding it's way down her cheek. Reaching over for her hand Shay sighed, "Listen to me Gabby, it's going to be ok. Matt doesn't want anything to do with her…trust me…" Gabby didn't even bother nodding, didn't even bother answering, she didn't even bother turning her head towards Shay, she just stared out the window as they pulled up to the garage of the firehouse, finding Cruz, Mills, Herman and Matt outside near the front of the trucks, they were playing a bit of basketball, laughing as Cruz missed another shot.

Gabby jumped from the rug, heading straight passed the group, shrugging off the smile that Matt shot her as she passed, his brow furrowing confused as Shay came to his side, glad that the others had continued to play. "Was the call alright?" He was concerned that something bad had happened on the call; he had never seen her act this way. Shay sighed, shaking her head, "Yeah the call was fine…we ah…we just came back from Lakeshore…" Shay didn't even need to say anymore as the realisation dawned on Matt. He groaned under his breath and rubbed his head, turning he headed inside, looking for Gabby. He found her sitting in the locker rooms, her back to the entrance, hunched over, he could see her hands shaking slightly at her side. Swallowing Matt spoke, "Gabby…" His voice had made her jump, she threw her phone into her locked suddenly before her hands raised her face, clearly wiping away a tear that had fallen, she finally turned to him.

"Hey, sorry I didn't see you there…" She stood quickly, closing her locker and faced him. Matt took another step forward, watching as the look in her eyes changed, sadness coming over her. "Are you alright?" He was very worried about her, very concerned about what she was feeling and thinking. "Yeah, yea I'm fine. Just ah…" But the look on Matt's face told her not to even bother trying to brush this off; he could read her better than that. Sighing she took a seat on the bench, hearing him move towards her side, sitting down slowly. After a few moments of silence, Gabby found the courage to speak, "She's beautiful…" She couldn't bring herself to look at Matt, not wanting to see what was displayed on her face. She felt stupid for being this upset, he himself had said that he wanted to be with her but she had gotten so used to being alone and being hurt that now that she finally had someone she wanted, she was scared he would change his mind.

"You're beautiful…" Matt spoke softly, watching as she turned her head away from him a little more, not wanting him to see the tear that slipped from her eyes, but he saw it and once it fell to her shin, he brushed it away, reaching for her hand and leading her towards his office, wanting to speak to her in a more private situation. Closing the door, he watched as she sat on his bed, her back against the wall and her legs brought to her chest, still not looking at him. "Hey…talk to me…" He sat next to her, reaching for her hand again, holding it limply in his. He wanted to know what she was thinking, wanted to know what was going on in her head. Gabby shrugged, "I just…I met Hallie today and she was stunning and she talk about you like she wanted to get back together with you… I mean, come on Matt, why else would she move back to Chicago…she said to tell you that she wanted to see you again, that she was going to come by the firehouse to see you…" Now Gabby did look at Matt, wanting to see his reaction to her words.

As she looked over at him, Gabby found him staring at her, focusing on her as she spoke, "I'm sorry… it's my fault, I never told her I was seeing someone and to be honest I was too shocked to see her in Chicago again to have even thought about it. I promise you that I thought she was still in Boston…" At that stage Gabby had turned her whole body towards Matt, her hand gently tightening around his. "Gabby, I want to be with you…I care so much about you…I mean you are the only woman I want…" He wasn't going to tell her he had fallen for her, yes they had known each other for just over 6 months but they had only just started dating and he didn't want to scare her away, but he had fallen for her a long time ago. In spite of herself Gabby laughed, wiping another tear away, "God I feel so stupid, I don't know why I am so upset about this…I'm sure this is making you want to get involved with me. She just, everything about her screamed beautiful…"

Matt could see in Gabby's eyes that she wasn't confident in herself, she didn't see herself as beautiful or stunning or amazing or any other positive words he could describe her as, and he could also see that was why she was so upset. Hallie was beautiful, there was no denying it but Gabby was beautiful in a different way, looks yes she was gorgeous but it was everything about her that he found beautiful. "I guess what makes it harder, her being here, is that you still love her-"

Matt blinked at her words, a little shocked that she has said that, he protested, "Gabby, it's been almost four years since I had seen her, I don't love her anymore…" But Gabby shook her head, "Yes you do, a part of you still loves her, a part of you will always love her, just like a part of me will always love Chris…the difference is that only one of them can come back into our lives and make someone realise that they had it better before…" Gabby looked away then, her mind running a mile a minute at the thought of Matt leaving her for Hallie, leaving James…

"Gabriella Dawson, you listen to me…" He leaned over reached for her face, bringing it to face his, "…Yes maybe a small part of me will always love Hallie, we were together for 8 years, it would only be natural but it's over, it will always be over and the only person I want to be with is sitting on my bed. It's you Gabby, no one is better than you, you are gorgeous and I will spend everyday making you see that if I have to…" He leaned forward then watching her closely as his lips touched her, sighing inwardly when she closed her eyes and kissed him back, smiling as she pulled away, leaning her head on his shoulder, "God, I'm sorry…this really isn't what you want out of a girlfriend is it? I promise I'm not always this much drama…" She smiled against his shoulder, as he laughed, moving so he could look her in the eyes, "My girlfriend… that has a nice ring to it doesn't it?" She laughed again, rolling her eyes. "It does, doesn't it?"

Matt's smile faded slightly as he spoke, his tone turning a little more serious, "Hey, it's ok. I'm sure I would be feeling the same thing you are right now if the roles were reversed. I don't mind a bit of drama, as long as there is some romance as well…" He laughed as she nodded, her smile growing, "Well let's see what we can do about that…" Slowly, seductively she leaned over and placed a small kiss on the side of Matt's mouth, feeling his hands tighten around hers as she did so, giggling as Matt laid her down quickly, rest on top of her as he kissed her deeply, "You drive me crazy…" He mumbled as they kissed again, enjoying each other's company, away from the real world.

The sharp knock on the door pulled them both from each other, Matt sitting up quickly thinking he had left the blinks open but glad he had kept them closed from the night before, they both held their breath unsure of who it was that was knocking, sighing happily when it was only Shay, "Hey sorry guys, but Chief wants us in the conference room…" Smiling at each other when they heard Shay's steps retreating, Mat lifted Gabby from the bed, placing another gently kiss on her lips before they headed towards the rest of the group.

As they entered the conference room, Matt stood with his back against the wall, this arms crossed as he chatted to Kelly, who was standing in the same manner, he was acutely aware that Gabby had taken a seat at the table in front of him, her back to him showing off her curves as she sat, he inwardly groaned but held himself together, Shay sitting sideways on the chair so she could laugh at something Gabby had said. As the group chatted Boden walked in, the doors to the left swinging open, the group quietening down as the guest walked in.

"Everyone this is Ted Griffin from the Department, he will be here with us on shift for the next two weeks to complete the department's audits." Boden turned to his men, finding them staring at the new man in their firehouse, unsure of how to take his presence, Gabby not really understanding why though, what was the problem with the Department doing an audit she didn't know but from behind her, Gabby felt Matt become very tense, she didn't even have to look at him to know that something had changed in him. "Thanks Chief. I just want you all to know that I am not here for any particular reason, the department is just bringing in yearly audits to make sure everything is being run by the book and it above board…" At this stage Griffin was looking directly at Matt, their eyes locked in what seemed to be a heated battle of nerves, "…I appreciate and expect everyone's complete cooperation over the next two weeks.

Griffin had barely finished speaking when Matt pushed himself from the wall, intent on heading out the door and back to his office, but Griffin's voice stopped him, "Lieutenant Casey, how about you first…" Everyone turned to find Matt standing with his back to the group, his hand on the door and his shoulder tight. There was silence in the room as Matt look down and to the side, seeing Griffin out of the corner of his eye before he turned back to face him, clearly furious that the man was in his fire house. Matt crossed his arms over his chest and waited, not wanting to bring too much trouble to the house but he knew that he was going to have trouble controlling himself so he did not speak, just waited to see what Griffin would do. "…I will come and find the rest of you during the day to check in." The two men focused on each other as the rest of the group moved from the conference room.

Once they were alone, Griffin spoke, "Casey, I just wanted to tell you that I will be watching this house closely. I want to make sure everything is being done by the book." Matt huffed in his spot, thinking of what to say that would come off as professional but also not backing down. "What do you expect to find here Griffin? And tell me, out of all the houses and the shifts, you just happen to end up on this one … what do you really want?" Before Griffin could reply the doors opened again, Boden was standing there watching his Lieutenant face off against the other man, both with their arms crossed, both not giving an inch. "Casey, I need you out here, we have a school group." Matt stood for a moment, debating whether he should listen to his Chief or not but deciding that it was probably not a good idea, he nodded and left, also knowing that the Chief was there to make sure it all was kept under control.

"You're right Chief, the kids are waiting…" He turned from the Chief, sending him a quick glance before giving him a knowing nod, telling him that he would speak to him after the school group. As he walked, Matt dropped his head, he hated Griffin, he really was going to have to make sure he had everything under control while he was around, more to the point, he needed to keep himself under control. As he turned the corner to make his way back to the garage when someone standing in front of him stopped him, with his head down he bumped into the other person, "Oh sorry…" As he looked up he found Gabby standing in front of him, a concerned look on her face. "Hey, you alright?"

Gabby crossed her arms over her chest, "I should be asked you that, are you alright?" Gabby reached out her hand to touch his arm, worried about his interaction with Griffin, Matt only smiled and placed a very quick kiss on her lips, "I'm fine, I promise…now…lets get going, these kids aren't going to entertain themselves…" he moved around, missing the small knowing smile that she gave him, then how it fell when she saw Griffin standing by the window, his arms crossed and his eyes on her, although his stare was different and she couldn't place it. Furrowing her brow and turned her back to him, intent on finding the only person who she knew could make Matt feel better…and as she walking into the garage she found it. Matt stood by the side of the Truck, a few kids standing by his side as he spoke about the truck, James standing right against his side, Matt's arm around his shoulder as his smiled at something Matt had said.

Gabby smiled as she watched Matt interact with the kids, glad to see that he was a little happier than the moments ago when he had left the conference room. "I'd watch him if I was you…" A voice next to Gabby caught her attention and she looked to the side, finding Griffin standing there, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face as he stared at Matt. "I don't know what you're talking about." She turned back to see Matt smiling down at James, rubbing his head before he moved towards the truck, opening the door for the kids to jump in.

"Casey… I'd stay away from him. He is a jerk with a temper that you can't trust." Gabby didn't want to risk looking at Griffin because if she did she couldn't trust herself not to slap the jerk. "Even if there was something between me and Casey, which there isn't," She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing something was going on between them, "He is nothing like what you think he is, so don't try and intimidate me." Now she did turn towards Griffin wanting to see the look in his eyes when she spoke again, "He has been nothing but welcoming, this whole house has so if you think you are going to find anything here, that would cause problems for this house, you have another thing coming."

As she spoke, James had rushed up to his mum, glad to finally see her. "Mum! Matt said I can go on the back of the truck! Can I?" James bounced happily as he waited for his mother's reply, which he received as a smile and a nod before he ran back to Matt, waiting patiently for his turn on the ladder. "I'd be very careful about who I let into my son's life…especially those with a Casey name…" Gabby watched as Griffin walked away from her, his sickening smile sending shivers down her spine, Gabby dropping her head, trying to shake the uneasy feeling she got from him.

Matt had looked up when James had run back to him, glad that Gabby trusted him enough to let James join in with the rest of the group, which he never really doubted, he just wanted to make sure that Gabby was ok with it. As he looked up he noticed Griffin standing by Gabby, talking into her ear before sending a glance and a smug smile in his direction, walking away and leaving Gabby standing there, her head down, her bottom lip in her mouth, something she only did when she was nervous. Anger flared up inside of Matt to know that she was nervous around Griffin, that he made her nervous, just one more thing he could add to the list of reason's why he hated Griffin.

So thoughts on how this feels? Is the relationship too rushed or pacing ok? I'm just not too sure how I feel about it.